19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

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19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#1

Post by tigre » 12 Oct 2005, 20:28

Hello to all.

I wish to find out a more detailed account about of 19th Panzer Division’s action in spearheading an encirclement.

"On August 22, 1941, the 19th Panzer which was at 67 percent strength in
tanks and 75 percent in infantry attacked through a penetration created by three infantry divisions. Supported by the 20th Panzer, the 19th was to drive through the base of a salient held by the Soviet Twenty-second Army at Velikiye Luki. By using its organic infantry, the 19th was able to drive on despite difficult terrain and the lack of success by supporting attacks. In the end, the efforts of the 19th directly contributed to the destruction of eight Soviet divisions and the capture of almost 30,000 prisoners." (Taken from: HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? The Requirement for Increased Infantry Dismount Strength in Heavy Divisions by
Major Douglas D. Brisson Infantry. Dec 1987).

PD: was this penetration what caused that the German 161 ID be nearly wiped-out?.

Any info would be appreciate, thanks in advance and regards. Tigre.

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#2

Post by Christoph Awender » 13 Oct 2005, 20:29

Hello

"22.Aug.1941
Spearhead of the 19.Pz.Div. is Pz.Rgt.27 with an Artillerieabteilung and 7./PGR 73 under Olt.John.
10:00 The "ungerman" time of attack surprises the russians and nearly without resistance the tanks push through the enemy lines. This is so fast that the artillery btl. forgets to inform company John which hurries to follow the tanks. They get contact before the surprised enemy can bring his reserves into action. The tanks break light enemy resistance, destroy some AT-guns and keep advancing.
As the attack meets a strong anti-tank barrier Stukas attack and destroy it which keeps the attack moving. Enemy support and supply units are overrun and a lot of equipment is captured.
Officer commandos occupy the captured depots and "guard" them to keep the attack going just giving out urgently needed things.
Soon all trucks of the 7.Kp are fully loaded with prisoners but Olt.John gives strict order to follow and support the advancing tanks.
South of Ablajapuski strong enemy supply formations try to break out after the german tanks passed. Attacking these formations would mean to lose contact with the tanks so Olt.John orders some 8,8cm guns into position and attacks the leading elements. The rest withdraws back to Welikije Luki.
The 7.Kp. shoots from the trucks and keeps up with the tanks. Kunja station is taken after short and heavy fight. Lot of equipment captured.
In the evening 7./73 reaches Peski where the tanks are stopped in front of a swamp area. The tanks keep the railway bridge under machinegun-fire to prevent the enemy of destroying it.
Immediately the 7./73 dismounts and sets up defense positions around the tanks. The company had no casualty.

Not as good luck had the II./73 which followed this attack. After the tank spearhead had passed the russians set up resistance nests along the advance road. The battalion suffers casualties fighting to open the road again. Leutnant Dittmar the Btl.Adjutant is killed while trying to take out a enemy machinegun nest. Late in the night and some elements next morning Peski is reached. The plan was to reach Welikije Luki yesterday.
"

Will continue..

\Christoph


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19th Panzer Division’s action 1941

#3

Post by tigre » 30 Oct 2005, 06:24

Hello Christoph, I know you have very busy times but could you add something more about this engagement. The info you posted so far is very useful and interesting indeed. Thanks in advance and best wishes. Tigre.

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#4

Post by Christoph Awender » 03 Nov 2005, 18:55

- Soon it was realized that a improvised strengthening of the railroad bridges with beams would take too long. So the regiments had to cross without vehicles.
17:00 I./73 advances across the undamaged northern railroad bridge and attacks as advance unit west along the railroad.
HEavy machinegun half-platoons are brought into position to cover the advance. To get ahead faster the regiment marches in line on the tracks wich is dangerous but the own tanks which were in action north needed infantry support.
The regiment knows that it is operating deep in enemy territory but no enemy is showing up which makes the men nervous.

After sunset the battalion is stopped and is split up into two groups. The leading company 7./73 is ordered to advance northwest to the area northwest of Jewdokimowo where the tanks are expected to be. The rest of I/73 and the mass of II./73 continues along the railroad. The 7./73 evades all villages and luckily meets the tanks of the division in their "hedgehog" position in the middle of a wheat field.
Until 24.August morning nearly all elements of the regiment reach the ordered locations east of Welikije Luki.

There the regiment should take positions on the eastbank of the Krupija defending to the west against the city and with main effort along the railroads.
The 10km long sector is just defendable with strongpoints. II/73 right, I./73 left.-

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19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#5

Post by tigre » 04 Nov 2005, 01:40

Many thanks Christoph, I really appreciate your effort. Best regards. Tigre.

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#6

Post by Christoph Awender » 04 Nov 2005, 16:37

Youre welcome tigre no problem.

- on 24.Aug. 01:00 russian forces attacked everywhere. In general the german lines held strong but because of the strongpoint defenses russians infiltrated the lines and attacked rear echelon units everywhere. At dawn the fighting stopped and it was clear that the night caused heavy casualties on both sides.

The german reports speak of many women and unarmed soviet soldiers which tried to breakout in the night. They walked "hooked" to the neighbour in broad lines which caused heavy casualties in the german defense fire.

The day was relatively quiet. Div.Flak.Abt.85 shoots down some russian aircrafts. The units improve their positions especially I.R.74 is able to move its positions forward. THe right wing is moved closer to Welikije Luki closing the gap to 2km which is controlled by fire.

25.Aug. 01:00 Another soviet attack starts. The attack is by far heavier than last night. This night will be known as the "Night of the long knives" by the members of the division.
The heaviest fighting was at I./73 which was believed to be lost for a couple of hours. Each small group of soldiers fought for their lives. The situation was chaotic and connections within the division were lost completely.
04:30 tanks push through the russians and can relief the I./73 in time. Here the tanks under Oberstlt.Thomale overroll a russian artillery unit and decides to turn towards Welikije Luki and establishes contact with the 253.Inf.Div. With this the pocket is closed. The fighting in the whole division area keeps on until the afternoon.
The russian high commander is shot by a guard of a limber-position of A.R.19. He does not answer as asked and so the guard shoots him. He is found without rank distinctions and alone. Just the papers show the high rank of the dead.-

\Christoph

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#7

Post by tigre » 04 Nov 2005, 18:48

Thank you again Christoph. Best Regards. Tigre.

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19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#8

Post by tigre » 05 Nov 2005, 21:47

Hello Christoph, sorry for taking your time again, but way the way would you have the stellenbesetzung of the 19 Pz Division for that time. Thanks for your patience. Take care. Tigre.

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#9

Post by Christoph Awender » 06 Nov 2005, 09:58

Hello

What I have by looking shortly in my references

Div.Kdr.: General der Panzertruppen Otto von Knobelsdorff
Ia: Oberstlt.Sigismund-Hellmut Ritter und Edler von Dawans

Schützenbrigade 19: Oberst Gustav Schmidt

Schtz.Rgt.73: Oberst Menkel (verwundet 25.8.41)
replaced by Major Köhler
replaced by Oberstlt.Källner (Ankunft 8.9.41)
Rgts.Arzt: Stabsarzt Dr.Reible (gefallen 2.8.41)
Rgts.Adj.: Olt.Kerll
I./73: Major Köhler (RK am 29.7.41)
II./73: Major Bruns (ab 12.8.41)
7./73: Olt.John
8./73: Olt.Vilmar

Schtz.Rgt.74: Oberstlt.Iwand (gefallen 27.7.41 durch Fliegerbombe vor Bjeloy)
II./74 Oberstlt.Westermann (replaces Iwand)
replaced by Hptm.Scholz

Art.Rgt.19: Oberstlt.Lahl
Rgts.Adj.: Olt.v.Ondarza (verwundet 25.8.41)
I./A.R.19: Hptm.Petzold (gefallen 2.9.41)
II./A.R.19: Major Zugehör

Pz.A.A.19: Rittm.v.Engel
Major Booth (replaces the wounded former commander on 27.6.1941)
Kradschtz.Btl.19: Major Bruns

Pz.Rgt.27: Oberstlt.Spannenkrebs (wounded on 6.7.41 - amputation lower leg)
replaced by Major Mecke (commander of I./Pz.Rgt.27)
replaced by Oberst Thomale on 5.8.41 (other source 8.8.41)
III./Pz.Rgt.27. Major Schmidt

3./Pz.Pi.Btl.19: Olt.Schroeder (gefallen 26.6.41)

\Christoph

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19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#10

Post by tigre » 06 Nov 2005, 14:21

Thank you Christoph, I appreciate it. Best wishes for you and greetings from Argentina. Tigre.

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Re: 19th Panzer Division's action - Aug 1941.

#11

Post by tigre » 26 Jul 2008, 19:30

Hello to all :D; after a deep search and a complement for Christoph's story, here goes little account of it......................

19 Pz Div – Aug 1941.

By August 1941, the German offensive had reached a temporary pause with a rather large salient protruding into the German lines on the left of the German Ninth Army. The salient extended west as far as Velikiye Luki which was held by the Russians. Aerial reconnaissance verified a large Soviet buildup with the expected intention of cutting into the rear of the Ninth Army.

Realizing the Soviet intention, the Germans decided to strike first. Their mission was to reduce the forces in the salient. The operation began on 22 August with an attack by three infantry divisions on the southern . shoulder of the salient to force a penetration. Upon breakthrough two Panzer divisions, the 20th Panzer Division on the left , and the 19th Panzer Division of the right, moved rapidly through the penetration.

The 19th Panzer was the main effort and had a good road network to support its move, while the 20th guarded its left flank. The objective for the 19th was to cut the soviet lines of communication and link up with XXIII Corps about 40 miles away.21 Because of poor terrain, the 20th would not be able to keep pace with the 19th . In essence the 19th Panzer would be alone for the operation.

It was obvious to the division commander that, security could only be maintained by speed and constant movement. He organized the division with an advanced guard consisting a panzer regiment an armored artillery unit and a collection of engineer and an antitank detachments. The main body was organized in to two task forces. The first consisted of an armored infantry regiment, two armored artillery battalions, an engineer battalion and various support units. The second was composed of an armored infantry regiment, an artillery battalion, a rocket launcher battalion and various support units. The reconnaissance battalion was task organized with the attachment of the antitank company to provide reconnaissance and security.

Source: A LOOK AT DEEP OPERATIONS: THE OPTION OF DEEP MANEUVER BY M a j o r David C. Mock. Armor. School of Advanced Military Studies U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 31 December 1987.

More follows. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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Re: 19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#12

Post by tigre » 30 Jul 2008, 23:50

Hello to all :D; a little more of it......................

19 Pz Div – Aug 1941 (2º part).

The reconnaissance task force was positioned forward with the breakthrough divisions so when the penetration was sufficient (about 1200 hours) the 19th Panzer Division was aunched into the Soviet rear. As it did so, it was joined by Luftwaffe aircraft that provided early warning and close air support.

By 1700 hours 19th Panzer had reached Kunya, thus cutting the rail line to Velikiye Luki. One task force from the main body was ordered to cover the left flank (southwest) of the division as it moved northward from Kunya to Tabory while the reconnaissance battalion guarded the right flank. Moving very quickly the lead elements of the division entered Tabory by 18:00 hours and captured intact the railroad bridge and the road bridge over the Kunya River.

However, these were not sufficient to support the movement of large vehicles. The bridgehead was expanded west of the river and the division engineers were ordered to build.a bridge for the division's heavy vehicles. This situation forced the halt of the advance for the day and the division went into a hasty defense in anticipation of Soviet counterattacks that night.

The division commander planned to continue the attack as soon as the bridge was constructed and to link up with XXIII Corps at Velikiye Luki that day, thus completing the encirclement of the Soviet force. The division was not, able to cross until around 15:00 hours making the link up that day impossible. After crossing the bridge, however they encountered some resistance. 'They routed one formation, captured another and destroyed elements of a third, to include some tank and antitank forces.

Source: A LOOK AT DEEP OPERATIONS: THE OPTION OF DEEP MANEUVER BY M a j o r David C. Mock. Armor. School of Advanced Military Studies U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 31 December 1987.

More follows. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: 19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#13

Post by tigre » 02 Aug 2008, 21:47

Hello to all :D; the last part of it.............................

19 Pz Div – Aug 1941 (3º part - The End).

During the day aerial reconnaissance had spotted a large formation of Soviet troops moving toward the northwest. At about 01:00 hours the Soviets launched a large scale attack against the 19th Panzer. The fighting was fierce and costly to both sides, but in the end the Soviets were repulsed.

The Germans again moved toward Velikiye Luki the following day. The Soviets continued their effort to break out, thus delaying the link up between 19tn Panzer and XXIII Corps. Finally, early on the 25th of August after three and a half days of fighting the link up was made.

Following two more days of fighting the salient was reduced. The Germans had destroyed or captured eight divisions ending the threat to Ninth Army.

Source: A LOOK AT DEEP OPERATIONS: THE OPTION OF DEEP MANEUVER BY M a j o r David C. Mock. Armor. School of Advanced Military Studies U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 31 December 1987

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

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Re: 19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#14

Post by tigre » 08 Dec 2009, 01:28

Hello to all :D; a little more about this Division...................

19 Pz in Russia.

1. Organization and Back ground.

The 19 Pz was organized on November 01 of 1940 in Wehrkreis XI on the basis of the 19 ID with the newly created PR 27 (IR 59 was transferred to the 20 Pz) under command of the Gen.Maj. /Gen.Lt. Knobelsdorff, v., Otto being its Staff Senior officer or Ia the Otl.i.G. Dawans, Ritter u. Edler v., Sigismund-Helmuth. Assistant or IIa was the Hptm Mentz v., Franz.

Composition as June of 1941:

19. Schützen-Brigade (Obst. Schmidt, Gustav)
Schützen-Regiment 73 (Obst. Menkel, Konrad)
Schützen-Regiment 74 (Otl. Iwand, Fritz)
Kradschützen-Bataillon 19 (Hptm. Stegmann, Erich)
Feldersatz-Bataillon 19 (Hptm. Kettel, Ottheinz)
Panzer-Regiment 27 (Otl. Spannenkrebs, Walter)
Artillerie-Regiment (mot) 19 (Otl./Obst. Lahl, Werner)
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 19 (Hptm./Maj. Richter, Helmut)
Panzeraufklärungs-Abteilung 19 (Rittm. Engel, v., Hans-Jürgen)
Panzerpionier-Bataillon 19 (Otl. Wagner, Hans)
Panzernachrichten-Abteilung 19 (Hptm./Maj. Pixis, Heinrich)
Panzer-Division Nachschubführer 19 (Hptm. Jürgens, Eberhard)

Sources: http://cgi.ebay.it/Riesen-Fotoalbum-Rus ... ginalfotos (subasta eBay finalizada) Martes, 20 de Enero de 2009, 15:47:09.
Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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Re: 19th Panzer Division’s action 1941.

#15

Post by tigre » 11 Dec 2009, 04:51

Hello to all :D; a little more about this Division...................

19 Pz in Russia.

2. Commanding Officers.

Sources: http://cgi.ebay.it/Riesen-Fotoalbum-Rus ... ginalfotos (subasta eBay finalizada) Martes, 20 de Enero de 2009, 15:47:09.
Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.
Fotoalbum-Bilder-19_Panzer Division -Feldeinheiten-TOP - eBay (item 370270550587 end time Oct-15-09 113026 PDT)

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas. :wink:

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image001.jpg
Generalleltunant Otto v. Knobelsdorff. (01.11.40 - 06.01.42)
Knight's Cross 17 Sep 1941 (CO 19 Pz)
image001.jpg (27.45 KiB) Viewed 3443 times
image003.jpg
Generalmajor Gustav Schmidt (06.01.42 - 15.03.43)
Knight's Cross 04 Sep 1940 (CO IR 74)
image003.jpg (20.64 KiB) Viewed 3443 times

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